The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, also known as the NSCS, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and honors society for successful students willing to impact their campus and local communities through scholarship, leadership, and service. A recognized organization at more than 330 campuses across the US, the NCSC belongs to the Association of College Honor Societies.
Since its founding on the George Washington University campus in 1994, NSCS has been engaged in recognizing and awarding its high-achieving members while offering numerous membership benefits that include career and academic connections and funding over $750,000 annually in awards, scholarships, and chapter funds. The NSCS has a total of three membership tiers, regular, premium, and premium-plus, each with several perks, including access to 26 member-exclusive and merit-based scholarships along with additional local chapter opportunities. Benefits available in all tiers include one professional scholarship essay review and access to the LifeRamp Coaching platform.
In addition, premium and premium-plus members receive access to the career assessment and jobs platform Cappfinity, two additional scholarship essay reviews, and the opportunity to apply, via The Hub PLUS, for an additional $100 million in scholarships. Premium NSCS members have access to a dedicated premium channel in the NSCS exclusive member portal, while premium-plus members can utilize the dedicated premium-plus channel. Additionally, premium-plus members have all the benefits from the other tiers plus further bonuses, such as an NSCS graduation regalia package and a 1-year subscription to PowerNotes, as well as a guaranteed mentorship match with NSCS alumni.
Several companies partner with the NSCS to provide benefits for the organization’s members. For instance, the multiple-country study abroad program Semester At Sea offers $90,000 in scholarships every year to NSCS members, who also have access to a networking club on the program’s ship. The International Scholar Laureate Program is also a partner institution; it offers NSCS members the chance to join one delegation on a travel adventure.
Members of all tiers can help the organization impact their local communities through scholar program PACE, or Planning to Achieve Collegiate Excellence. This program empowers college students at a local NSCS chapter to create a partnership with a school or organization in their communities, helping increase the graduation rate among learners while preparing them for college. Through PACE, NSCS chapter members can mentor these middle- and high-school students (typically from underserved populations) and encourage them through tutoring.
NSCS membership is by invitation, extended to undergraduate students who have attained at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA during their courses. In addition, at the time of application, students must be enrolled in their first or second year of college or university and have completed a minimum of one term of full-time study in credits. Typically, those who meet all requirements and are currently enrolled in an institution with an active chapter will receive an invitation. Self-nomination is also possible if the university does not provide NSCS with student information or does not have an active chapter.
